Rotary engine



(No Model.) 5- Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. A. SMALL. ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 552,646. Patented Jan. '7,- 1896. 1

ANDRE" BLRAHAM, PHUTBUTHQWASHINGTUII. DC

(N6 Model.) A 5 sheetssheet 2.

F. A. SMALL. ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 552,646. Patented Jan. 7, 1896.

5 sheets-sneek. 3.

(HUMMEL) F A SMALL y ROTARY ENGINE. y

lPaizented Jan. .7, 1896.

f @mi (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. Y

P. A. SMALL.v

(No Model.) 5 Sheets- -Sheet 5. I'. A. SMALL.

ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 552,646. Patented Jan. 7, 1896.

AN DREW B GRAnAM.H|Ur0-UTHO.WA5MING1UN.D C

iUNrTnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

FREDERICK A. SMALL, OF BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

O SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,646, dated January 7, 1896.

Application filed September 5, 1894. Renewed June 19, 1895. Serial No. 553,369. y(lio model.)

To aZZ zoll/m t Netty concern:

lie it known that I, FREDERICK A. SMALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at llue Island, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary steam-engines of the class in which a hub portion is surrounded by a rotary shell or wheel containing an annula-r expansionchamber and provided with valves against which the steam expands to propel the shell or the hub, whichever may constitute the rotary portion.

My object to provide an engine of the above class of generally improved construction in which the moving parts shall be exposed continuously to steam-pressure, which shall be particularly economical in the consumption of steam, and which shall be of a simple and durable construction and every way desirable for its purpose.

ln the drawings, Figure l is a vertical longitudinal and central section of my improved engine, the section being taken on line l of Fig. 2, Fig. 2, a section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Figs. 3, a and 5, enlarged sections taken, respectively, on lines 3, i and 5 of Fig. l and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. f3, an enlarged broken section taken on line U of Fig. i?, viewed in the direction of the arrow, and illustrating details of construction of the governor and cut-off mechanisms 5 Figs. T and t, details of construction of the cut-cifactuating mechanism; Fig. t), a diagram of one of four similar stationary and annular cams which work the valves in the expansionchamber, Fig. l0, an elevation of two rotary rin at one side of the rotary wheel, forming part of the valve-sliding mechanism, two similar rings being on the opposite side of the wheel; Figs. ll, l2 and 13, sections of a stationary steam-chest taken on lines ll, l2 and lo of Fig. and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 1I, a broken plan view of one of the movable cut-offs; Fig. l5, a broken section of the stationary hub or steam-chest portion taken on line l5 of Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 16, a broken section of a split-ring segment and movable valve, forming details of the construction; and Fig. 17, a broken view showing the upper end portion of an outer standard in which the stationary shaft of the engine is secured against rotation.

The engine illustrated in the figures is a double engine containing two steam-chests, two expansion chambers and two sets of valves and cut-offs of exactly similar construction, whereby the power of the engine is doubled. The shaft and parts fixed thereon, in the figures. remain stationary while the parts surrounding them rotate; but if desired, as hereinafter explained, this may be reversed to cause the shaft and attendant parts to rotate while the surrounding parts remain. stationary.

A is a base provided at opposite end pois tions with inner standards A A and outer standards A2 A2.

.B is a shaft which is bored from opposite ends to form passages t and s divided from each other by an abutment x where the shaft is solid.

It will be understood that the shaft is bored from opposite ends to a point near the center, leaving the solid portion a; at the center, and this is the preferred construction,though, if desired, the shaft may be made hollow all the way through and provided at its center with a plug to form the abutment a).

At the inn er end of the passage t is a radial opening t, and at the inner end of the passage s is a radial opening s. Along its central portion the shaft B is threaded, as indicated at in Fig. l. Each standard A2 is provided in its outer side with a recess 7, and at the center of the recess with an opening r. Fitting in the recess fr is a block or frame r2, which fills the recess from the lower to the upper side thereof, but is slightly less in width than the width of the said recess. (See Fig. 17 IVhen the frame lr2 is placed in the recess it may be slid to a limited extent from right to left, but has no up-and-down play. Fitting in the frame yr2 is a block or plate r3 corresponding in width to the width of the opening of the frame r2, but of a height somewhat less than that of the said opening. Thus the plate r3 has play to a limited extent in the vertical direction in the frame r2, but no independent play from right to left. The plate ICO r3 has a central opening fr* to fit over the hollow shaft B, and the shaft and plate rifare coincidently grooved to form a keyway to receive a key 05. The standards A2 with their frames r2 and plates yr3 operate to hold the shaft B secure against turning to the slightest extent on its aXis, but will permit limited play of the shaft in the vertical and horizontal directions to compensate for wear of the shelltrunnions in their bearings, hereinafter described.

On the threaded portion 11: of the shaft B is a stationary hub C. The body portion of the hub C may be a solid casting and is formed at one end portion with a segmental chamber e, Fig. 4, and at its opposite end portion with a segmental chamber q, Fig. 5. The arrows in the figures indicate the direction of iiow of the steam, the chamber q being the steam-inlet chamber for both steam-chests and the chamber e the exhaust-chamber for both the expansion-chambers. The segmental chambers c and q are of the relative sizes and occupy the relative positions indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. At one end of the chamber q is an opening q" which registers with the opening t in the shaft, and in the chamber e, at the center of the latter, is an opening e which registers with the opening s in the shaft. Extending fromthe chamber q out through the adjacent end of the body portion of the hub is an opening q2, and extending from the chamber q through the body portion of the hub to the opposite end thereof is a passage qs. Extending from the chamber e out through the adjacent end of the body portion of the hub is an opening c2, and extending from the chamber e through the body portion of the hub to the opposite end of the latter is an opening' e3. Fitting into a recess y, Fig. l5, in one end of the body portion of the hub C at the openings qs and forming practically an integral part of the hub is a chambered head or casting p heldin place by bolts p. (See Figs. 3 and l5.) At and for a little distance radially beyond the body portion of the hub the casting p is narrow in the direction lengthwise of the shaft and affords a hollow neck portion p2. Beyond the neck portion the casting widens into a head p3, rectangular in cross-section and formed in its face with a dovetail recess p4. (See Fig. 3.) The casting p has a chamber or passage p5, Fig. 3, which is open at the outer circumference and forms the inletmouth of the passage or opening e2 and a chamber or passage p6 in open communication with the passage Q3 and extending through the neck p2 and head pgand out through the dovetail face p4.

Fitting into the dovetail face p* is ahollow segmental arm or casting n rectangular in cross-section and of the same width as the part p3. Fastened against the opposite end of the body portion of the hub is a chambered head or casting m, in every way like the part p and secured to the hub in the same manner. It

has a chamber or passage corresponding with the chamber p5 and forming the mouth of the passage e3, a chamber corresponding with the chamber p6 and in open communication with the opening q2, and a segmental arm m' fastened toit by the dovetail joint m2. Amore detailed description of the arms vn m/ will be given later on. The outer circumference of the hub affords annular bearing-surfaces .r2 x2, Fig. l.

D is a shell which may be an annular r0- tary wheel containing the steam-cylinders or expansion-chambers. It is in two parts D' D2, secured together by bolts l and presenting on their outer circumference a drive-pulley?. In the tops of the standards A are bearings 7c for hollow trunnions D3 D3. Each section D D2 is provided with a laterally-exteinling annular flange Z2, secured at its free edge to a disk D4, formed integral with the respective trunnion D3. In the section D/ is an annular expansion-chamber E and in the section D2 is an annular expansion-chamber E, both expansion-chambers being rectangular in crosssection. At the chambers E E the wheel D is formed with annular bearing-surfaces ai ce, which rotate upon the bearing-surfaces of the hub,...and longitudinally and centrally of the expansion-chambers, being midway between the bearing-surfaces ses, are continuous annular inner peripheral-slots or openings 2'. Between the disks DVl and body portions of the wheel D and hub C at opposite ends of the latter are chambersF F', the outerannular walls of which are the flanges Z2, and in the disks D* are occasional openin gs y, through which access maybe had to the chambers F F. Fitting over the openings y are removable plates y2, which, when in place, tightly close the said openings. In the chambers F F' and rigidly secured to the stationary shaft B are outer annular cams h and inner annular cams h' concentric with each other. The cams 7L 7L are alike and are disposed the same with relation to the shaft-that is to say, the projecting surfaces h2 are opposite each other across the hub in the same plane, and the depressed surfaces h3 are also opposite each other in the same plane. The inner cams 7L are both disposed the same with relation to the cani 71., whereby their projecting surfaces 71.2 are opposite each other across the hub and their depressed surfaces 7L:g are in the same relation.

Extending through the wheel D parallel with the shaft B and equidistant from each other are four openings g at the outer circumferential walls of the chamber E E' and just large enough to receive longitudinally-reciproeal rods g". Arran ged in a circle concentric with and around a circle drawn through the openings g are openings f in radial line with the openings g, respectively, and just large enough to receive reciprocating rods f. The circular plane of the openingsl g corresponds with that of the inner cams 71,, and the circular plane of the openings f corresponds with the plane of the outereams 71,. At the centers IOO IIO

of the openings f are cylindrical longitudinally-extending chambers f2, in which pistons f, fixed upon the rods fl, slide. In the movement of the rods f, as hereinafter explained, the slight resistance to movement of the pistons f3 in the chamber f2, due to air-compression, will tend to cushion the rods.

In the chamberF is a yoke or ring (Z. (Shown in detail in Fig. 10.) It is provided with two radial outwardly-extending diametrically-opposed arms (Z, to each of which is fastened a radially-extending plate (Z2, having two openings g2 ft, respectively. The rod f in the upper opening f, as it appears in Fig. 1, passes near one end in the chamber F, through the opening f4 in one plate (Z2 and the rod is rigidly secured to the plate by jam-nuts (Z3. At its adjacent end the same rod f carries a head fi, in which is mounted an antifrictionwheel f5, which runs upon the track afforded bythe adjacent outercam ZL. The rod g, adjacent to the said rod f', extends at its end through the opening g2 of the same plate (Z2,- also in the chamber F and passing through the opening gV3 of the plate (Z2 is the end portion of the rod g', which is dia-metrically opposed to the last-mentioned rod g. The rod gy in question appears below the shaft in Fig. l and is provided beyond the plate (Z2 with a head g2, having an antifriction-wheel g4,which runs upon the track afforded by the inner cam Zt.

ln the chamber F is a yoke (Z1, (in all respccts like the yoke rZl in Fig. lO, but turned a half-revolution with relation thereto,) the inner circumference of which is of a diameter approximating the distance from tip to tip of the plates (Z'2 on the yoke (Z, whereby the yoke describes a circle outside a circle drawn through the rods f. At diametrically-opposite points the yoke (Z4 is provided with radially inwardly-projecting lugs (Z5. rlhe rod f",referred to above as the upper rod in Fig. l and which carries the friction-wheel f5 in the chamber F, extends in the chamber F through an opening 5 in one lug (Z5 of the yoke (Z4, referred to, and the adjacent rod g extends through an opening (ZT in the same lug (Z and carries a head g3, provided with an antifriction-whcel g4 riding upon the cam ZZ in the chamber 7'. The said rods f and g' are secured rigidly to the yokes (Z'L at the said openings (Z (ZT by means of jam-nuts (Z3. The end of the rod g/ diametrically opposite the one described and which appears below the shaft in Fig. l, where it projects into the chamber F', is secured in the opening (ZT of the lug (Z5 diamctrically opposite the lug (Z5 described, and the adjacent rod f passes in the chamber F through the opening d in the same lug, beyond which it carries a head f* provided with an antifriction-wheel riding upon the outcr cam` ZL in thc chambcr F'.

From the foregoing explanation it will be understood that the yoke (Z in the chamber F and the yoke (Z'l in the chamber F are tied together by two pairs of diametrically-opposed longitudinally-sliding rods f g; that one rod f has a wheel f5 which travels on the outer cam ZL in the chamber F, and the other rod f has a wheel f5 which travels upon the outer cam ZL in the chamber F; that the rod g adjacent to the first said rod f has a wheel gL which travels upon the inner cam ZL' in the chamber F, and that the other rod g has a friction-wheel g4 which travels upon the inner cam ZL in the chamber F. Thus in the rotation of the wheel D, as hereinafter described, the whole shifting frame described, consisting of the yoke (Z in the chamber F, the yoke (Z4 in the chamber F, and the rods f g', which connect at opposite ends with the said yokes, is slid to the left by the cams h 71, in the chamber F and remains in that position during half the revolution, and that the frame is then slid by the other cams ZL h in the chamber F' to the right and remains in that position during the other half of the revolution. At the sides of the chambers E E, in direct radial line with the openings fg, are narrow slits or recesses g5, which extend laterally of the chambers E E in the direction longitudinally of the shaft B and intersect the said chambers and adjacent openings g. On the rods g' are fiat plates or valves E2 for the chamber E and similar valves E3 for the chamber E.

It will be noticed that at one side of the wheel (the upper portion in Fig. l) the slits g5 are between the chambers E E and that at the opposite side of the wheel the slits or recesses g5 are at the outer sides of the chambers E E". The valves E2 E3 and recesses g are, approximately, of the same size, so that the valves will just fit the said recesses when slipped into them. The valves when slid from the recesses across the respective chambers iit into grooves w, which, with the recesses, envelop the four edges of the valves, causing the valves to completely close the chambers at those points to afford steam-tight abutments.

The valves E2 E3 (shown at the upper sides of the wheel in Fig. l) are compara-tively close together, so that in the sliding of the rod g to which they are secured in one direction the valve moves into its recess g5 out of the chamber E', and at the same time the adjacent valve E2 moves out of its recess g5 across the chamber E. The valves E2 E3 at the lower side of the wheel in Fig. l are secured comparatively far apart on the adjacent rod g', so that while they move in the same (lirections and simultaneously with the upper said valves E2 3 their action is the opposite. Thus, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, while when moved to the right the upper valve E2 closes the chamber E the lower valve E2 when moved to the right opens the chamber E, and while the upper valve E3 when moved to the right opens the chamber E the lower valve when moved to the right closes the chamber E. lVhen the valves are moved to the IOO TOS

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left, the upper valve E2 will open the chamber E, and the lower valve E2 will close the chamber E, while the upper valve E3 will close the chamber E', and the lower valve E3 will open the chamber E.

lt is to be understood that l use the term closes the chamber7 when the valve extends across and forms an abutment therein, and opens the chamber when the valve slides therefrom laterally into its recess.

In the chamber E is ring or yoke d, in every respect like the ring or yoke d in the chamber E hitherto described, and in the chamber E is a ring or yoke (Zt in every way like the ring or yoke d in the chamber E and illustrated in Fig. l. These yokes are connected to and tied together by the other two pairs of rods f g, which extend in a plane at right angles to the plane of the rods described and carry valves E2 E2, which areoperated in exactly the same way by movement of a-ntifrictionwheels on the rods against the cams 7L 7L. lt will be understood that in the revolution of the wheel the two sets of valves move alternately-that is to say, each set is moved once with each half-revolution of the wheel, so that there is a movement of valves across each chamber four times with each revolution. The two sets of valves are timed to move across and away from the chambers to open and close the latter, as hereinafter explained.

The arms n m. are formed exactly alike, so that a description of one will explain the construction of the other. The butt-end portion 'n' of the arm n is of approximately the same size in cross-section as the chamber EQ and the butt-end portion m3 of the arm m is of approximately the same size in cross-section as the chamber E. ln the part yn, at t-he locations shown, are recesses n2, which are in the outer faces of the part. Extending` from the interior or chamber Au2 at the said recesses are openings n4, one each at the top and bottom and two on each side, as shown in Eig. ll. rlhe openin gs 'at are made flaring at their ends toward the recesses n.2, and fitting into them a-re pins 1r". The pins ya5 fit closely but loosely in the openings n4 and are of a length corresponding with the lengths of the said openings. Fitting in the'side recesses n2 are packing-strips /nG/nf and fitting in the top and bottom recesses are packing-strips lnl a7. The outer surfaces of the strips n `1LT are normally flush with the outer surface of the part 'n' of the arm, which, as before stated, approximately fills out the chamber E. The pressure of steam in the chamber n3, as hereinafter described, bears against the inner ends of the pins n.5, forcing them outward against the strips a6 nl, to press the latter firmly against the inner surfaces of the chamber E to insure a steam-tight packing. As indicated at the arms m in Fig. 3, the ends of the friction or packing strips Anl are formed into tongues to it into sockets or grooves in the ends of the strips ln to prevent separation of the strips at their ends when expanded or forced outward by the force of the steam in the chamber n3.

The arm throughout is of the same width in the direction longitudinally of the shaft B, so that throughout its entire extent it approximately fills out the chamber E in that direction. From points forming inner and outer shoulders or abutments as the arm is reduced in thickness in the direction radially of the wheel. Near the outer edge of the narrow part of the arm n, on each side thereof, is a steam-outlet openin g n, elongated in the direction of the length of the arm and of segmental form corresponding with the shape of the arm. full length of the narrowed part of the arm fn, as indicated by full and dotted lines in Fig. rlhe forward end portion of each opening n is closed by a cap-plate al, screwed upon the. side of the arm in a recess formed therein for the purpose, and the said plate luw extends flush with the surface of the arm, all as shown in Fig. 12. The purpose of this plate is to cause the forward portion of the opening n to afford the guide for a cut-olf, actuated by a governor, which will all be hereinafter described.

ln each side wall of the chamber E equidistant from each other are four shallow channels or recesses n of the form indicated in Fig. 2. n register with the arc of the openings a9 in the arm n and are elongated lengthwise in the are of the circle which they travel in the rotation of the wheel; and the outer parts '1113 of the recesses n extend beyond the are of the circle described by the outer face of the reduced portion of the arm n. As before stated, the arm m is formed in every way like the arm n, and the corresponding parts thereof are given similar reference-letters in the drawings. lt is to be understood that the chamber E is provided in each of its side walls with recesses n the same as in each side wall of the chamber E.

On the circumferential surface of the hub and extending in the recess z' of the part D2 of the wheel is the segment of a ring i', which abuts at one end at ,21, Eig. 2, against one end of the neck portion of the casting p, and at the other end abuts at e against the other end of the neck portion of the casting p. Thus the ring z" and the neck portion of the casting p completely fill out the annular slot or opening t' at the inner circumference of the chamber E. The segment fi. is of course stationary, and in the rotation of the wheel the opening t' is maintained closed by the said neck and segment z". The segment 'zi' is formed preferably of two concentric parts, the inner part i2 being one strip the exact width of the opening f, and the other part i3 being split longitudinally into two members it, the members being serrated to afford intermeshing teeth throughout part of their extent, as shown in Fig. 16. The teeth 5 are narrower than the valves E2 E3, one of which is indi- The opening ai extends nearly the The inner parts m12 of the recesses IOO IIO

cated in Fig. 1G, and confined in coincident sockets i in the members are springs il which tend to spread the members apart and press them at their outer edges ,vieldingly against the walls of the slots I. The intermeshing teeth need only be along those portions of the segments t" across which the valves tra-vel when closed; and the valves being wider than the teeth no steam, should the members be slightly separated, can escape at the intermeshing edges under the valves. This construction renders the segment comparatively easy to insert into place. and when in place it forms an absolutely steam-tight packing. In the inner circumferential opening i' of the chamber F is a segment of a ring i', formed in every way like the segment described and abutting against opposite ends of the neck of the casting m.

ln the chamber F surrounding the shaft B is a non-rotary but longitudinally-sliding sleeve c, and in the chamber F surrounding the shaft B is a non-rotary sliding sleeve d. Each sleeve is provided with a tongue portion which enters a recess Je" in the adjacent end of the body portion of the hub O. The engagement of the tongues c2 with the recesses in" hold the sleeve against rotation without interfering with their longitudinally-sliding movement. On the ring c and integral therewith is an annular iiange c3 affording a shoulder and between the said shoulder and adjacent end of the sleeve the latter is provided with a screw-thread et. (See Fig. o.) Screwed upon the thread c* against the shoulder is a collar c5, which with the shoulder presents an annular recess c, into which is loosely fitted a ring c7. rlhe ring c7 is provided at diam etrically-opposite sides with short projecting arms es, to the free ends of which are pivoted levers c. At their opposite ends the levers are pivotally connected to the inner ends of radially-extending rods cw, which extend through guide-openings in lugs l, which are secured to or form integral parts of the wheel D., On the rods el are adjustable weights c also pivotally secured at one end to the rods c10 are levers cl2, which at their opposite ends are pivotally secured to arms el, extending radially from a ring c14 like the ring c7, the arms being diametrically opposite each other. Extending through an opening in the body portion of the hub parallel with the shaft l is a longitudinally-sliding rod c having a recess c1, at which it loosely embraces the ring c171 on the inner side of the latter, and fastened at its opposite end to a lug c1T on the sliding sleeve c. In each sleeve is a cam-slot c1g of the shape shown in detail in Fig. 7.

.lournaled in the wall of the casting )i and extending from the chamber F into the chamber p" is ashort shaft l), to the outer end of which is fixed a finger D which extends into and engages the cam-groove cls in the sleeve c. Fixed to the inner end of the shaft in the chambery is a swinging arm b2, which connects at its free end witha segmental rod b3 extending longitudinally and centrally in the chamber n3. (See Fig. 3.) At its opposite end the rod b3 is pivotally connected to a frame b". (Shown by plan view in Fig. lll and in section in other gures.) The frame b4 forms the cut-olf which regulates the flow of steam from the chamber or steam-chest n3 to the eXpansion-chamber E'. lt comprises side bars b5 b5, an end bar o, and a head or cross bar lf, the en ds of which extend beyond the side bars b5. The rod b3 is pivotally secured to the center of the head 1f. The frame b4 is of segmental shape, correspond-ing with the shape of the openings nf, and the side bars b'l slide in the recesses in the forward part of the arm a which are formed by the openings it where they are covered by the cap-plates am. Normally the projecting ends of the bar bl abut against the ends of the plates n10, as when the bars b2 193 are in the position shown in Fig. 3. lYhen the bar b2 is swung to the right in Fig. 3, it draws the bar b3 and with it the frame 0r cut-off b4 to reduce the size of the outlets n" in the mannerindicated in Fig. 2. Extending through the walls of the casting m is a short shaft b like the shaft l) described, and also provided with a finger Z/ which enters and engages the cam-slot c18 in the sleeve c. The shaft b carries a rod b2, which connects with a red b and eut-olf b4, Fig. 3, all constructed like the cut-off mechanism described, and in the chamber of the arm m', to regulate the iiow of steam from the said chamber to the annular expansion-chamber E. lt may be stated that in the operation of the machine the ring el rotates in the recess c, and the ring c14 rotates with it in the recess el of the rod 015, the levers c c12 together forming toggles at the inner ends of the rods C10. The governor mechanism is so arranged that when the wheel D with the governor rotates faster than a certain speed the weighted rods are plunged outward by the centrifugal force against the resistance of the conned springs C19 on the rods cw, spreading the toggles apart so that the sleeve c is moved to the right in Fig. G and the sleeve c' to the left. As the sleeves move the fingers b are rocked by their engagement with the cam-grooves and turn the shaft b and arms b2, and move the rods b3 and cutoffs in the direction of closing the outlets a9. Less steam being allowed to flow from the steam-chests to the expansion-chambers, as hereinafter described, the speed of the engine is reduced and the rods C are moved inward by the springs C19 to reverse the movement of the cut-off and increase the size of the outlets a.

The operation of my improved engine is as follows: Steam enters at the passage t in the shaft B and passes thence through the opening if q' to the segmental chamber q. From the chamber q the steam passes through the outlet q2 to the steam-chest filling the chainber therein, and the steam also passes from the chamber q through the passage Q3 and ICO IIO

IIS

chamber or passage p to the steam-chest, filling the chamber n3 of the latter. It is to be understood that the valves at the chamber E close at the dotted line a in Figs. 2 and 3 and open at the dotted line a. in those gures. In other words, the valves in the expansion-chamber E each close just in front of the forward end of the arm or steam-chest n and open just before they reach the head p. The steam-chest m at the chamber E is diametrically opposed to the steam-chest n, so that in the chamber E the valves close on the line af and open on the line a, the opening and closing of all the valves being effected, as before described, by the movement of the antifriction-wheels gif5 upon the inner and outer cams 7L h. Presuming that the parts N12 of one set of recesses In, which are in the same relative positions, register with the outlets W9 of the steam-chest, and that a valve is closed on the line a in the chamber E', and a Valve E2 is closed on the line af in the chamber E, steam from the steam-chest will pass out at n into the parts 'nl2 of the respective recesses a and through the parts 7113 of said recesses into the chambers formed by the spaces on the inner and outer sides of the arms or chests a m and closed at one end by the stationary abutments or shoulders 11S and at their opposite ends by the closed valves carried by the wheel D. The pressure of the steam against the closed valves causes the wheel D to rotate on its bearings .903 k, the flow of the steam from the steam-chest being eut off as soon as the recesses n pass the outlets a9, whereby the expansive force of the steam is utilized after it is cut off from the source of supply. XVhen the wheel has rotated a quarter-revolution a second valve closes in front of the steam-chest in each chamber and the next recesses au register with the outlets af) of the steam-chest. As the wheel nears a half-revolution the first-mentioned valve E3 passes at its inner peripheral edge over the circumferential opening p5 in the casting p, thereby opening the chamber between the said valve E3 and the next following valve to the exhaust through pf e2 to the segmental chamber c in the hub, whence the steam exhausts through the passage e s to the exhaust-passage sin the shaft B. At the same time the first said valve E2 in the chamber E as the wheel nears a half-revolution passes across an outlet-opening in the casting m corresponding with the outlet p5, and which forms the mouth of the vpassage e3 in the hub leading to the exhaust-chamber e. The operation is continuous7 each temporary segmental chamber in the annular chambers E E/ being open to pressure in the first quarterrevolution of the wheel and open to exhaust in the second quarter-revolution of the wheel. As the valves are passing the exhaust-opening in the chambers E E they open to clear the heads p m.. The speed of rotation of the wheel D is regulated by the governor and cutoff mechanism before described.

I prefer to fill the chambers F F to a level corresponding, say, with the under side of the trunnions D3 with lubricating-oil, and this will provide all lubrication required for the engine. The rotation of the wheel will keep the oil splashing against the sides of the hub to lubricate the bearing-surfaces .r3 and against the shaft B; and the trunnions D3 and hubs of the cams are provided with oil-channels ag and the shaft with channels a?" to conduct the oil to lubricate the trunnions at the bearings 7e. By means of the rings d d, diametrically-opposed valves El and E"j are tied together against centrifugal force and they are thus caused to slide without material friction, This means of balancing the valves is one of the more important features of my improvement.

In the rotation of the wheel the walls of the chambers E E before reaching the steam-outlets ni pass across the chambered heads p m, which, being maintained at a high temperature by the live steam which passes through them, heat the inner surfaces of the walls of the expansion-Chamber. Thus the steam :flowing from the outletsai) meets heated surfaces, and any tendency to condensation of the steam during the period of admission to and expansion in said chambers is prevented. The heat from the heads nl p keeps the walls of the chambers E E always at a high temperature, renewing, before they reach the steam-outlets n, any heat they may have lost between the time that they pass the forward ends of the steam-chests and reach the heads. This is also one of the important features of my invention, because hitherto loss of heat by radiation through the walls of the expansion-chambers has had a tendency to cause the steam at the time of admission and expansion to condense to a more or less extent and cause loss of steam to a very material extent.

It is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the particular construction of governor mechanism shown and described; nor do I confine my improvements to a double engine like the one shown, because they are equally applicable to engines employing but one expansion-eh amber or engines employing more than two expansion-chambers.

It will readily be seen that were the wheel D fastened in a manner to prevent its rotation and the shaft B with its attendant parts mounted in bearing to rotate, the engine,with slight modifications which would suggest themselves to any skilled mechanic, would operate equally as well. In such case, of course, a pulley or analogous power-transmitter could be mounted upon the shaft instead of upon the, what would then be, stationary wheel or shell portion D.

Although my improved engine is intended for the employment of steam as a motive power, air from a compressed air-supply or other fluid under pressure could be employed in place of steam. The term steam where IOO IIC)

employed in the claims is intended to embrace any power-supplying fluid which would be the equivalent of steam in furnishing the motive povver.

'ly having the steam-chest form the abutment in the expansien-chamber, the mechanism is of course simplified. However, if desired, the abutment and steam-chest could be separate as well as the means for raising the temperature of the expansion-chamber Wall prior to the admission of the steam from the steam-supply. It" desired, therefore, a chambered head separate and distinct from the steam-supply could be provided in the expansion-chamber adjacent to the supply-port to be heated by a separate supply oit' steam from that which is employed in propelling the moving parts. My claims are intended to cover such modification.

lVhile l prefer to construct my improvements as shown and described, they may be modified in the matter of details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention as deiined in the claims.

That l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, iis-- l. In a rotary engi-ne the combination of a shell provided with an annular expansionchamber, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported With relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam winlet and a steam exhaust at said eh amber, laterallyv sliding valves in opposite sides ot' the chamber, reciprocal rods on which said valves are mounted the ends being tied together and reciprocating means for the rod operating in the movement of the rotary parts ol' the engine to move the valves simultaneously in the same direction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. ln a rotary engine, the combination ot a shell provided with an annular expansion chamb a, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, laterally sliding valves in opposite sides of the chamber, the valves being tied together to move in the same direction simultaneously and so arranged with relation to each other and to the chamber, that, in their movement, one opens while the other closes, and means, actuated by the movement of the rotary parts ol' the engine, for moving said valves, substantially as and `for the purpose set forth.

Si. lu a 'rotary engine the combination of a shell provided ivith an annular expansion chamber, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported yvith relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet anda steam exhaust at said chamber, laterally sliding valves in opposite sides of the chamber, reciprocal rods on Which said valves are mounted, yokes connecting said rods whereby they move together and slide the valves in the same direction simultaneously, and means, actuated by movement ol the rotary parts of the engine, 'for moving the said rods with the yokes and valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the combination of a shell provided with an annular expansion chamber, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported Wit-h relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, laterally sliding valves in opposite sides of the chamber, reciprocal rods on which said valves are mounted, the rods being tied together to move simultaneously in the same direction and cams at the ends of the rods operating in the movement of the rotary parts of the engine to reciprocate the rods and open and close the valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a rotary engine a shell provided with an annular expansion chamber,laterally sliding valves in opposite sides of the chamber and reciprocating rods on which said valves are mounted, the rods being tied together to move simultaneously in the same direction, in combination With a shaft provided with a hub carrying an abutment extending across said chamber,annular cams at the ends of the reciprocal rods for moving the same,the shell with the parts carried thereby and the shaft With the parts carried thereby being so supported With relation to each other that when one,\vith the parts carried thereby, is stationary, the other, With the parts carried thereby, rotates, and a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set fort-h.

6. In a rotar f engine, the combination of a shell provided With an annular expansion chamber, lateral recesses at diametrically opposite sides of the said chamber, the recesses extending respectively in opposite directions from the said chamber, sliding valves at the said recesses and movable into the recesses to open the chamber and out of the recesses to close the chamber and form approximately steam tight abutments therein, longitudinally reciprocal rods on Which the said valves are mounted, yokes tying the rods together whereby they move with the valves simultaneously in the same direction to cause one said valve to open and the other to close, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at the said chamber, and actuating means for the rods, mounted in fixed relation with the said abutment, and operating in the movement of the rotary parts of the engine to shift the yokes, rods and valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In arotary engine, the combination of a shell provided With an annular expansion IOO IIO

chamber, laterally sliding valves at diametrically opposite sides of the said chamber movable respectively into and out of the said chamber from opposite directions, yolres laterally and at opposite sides of the said chamber, reciprocal rods to which the valves are fastened extending across the shell and secured at their opposite end portions to the said yokes whereby the valves are tied together to move simultaneously in the same direction, a shaft, an abutment in fixed relation to the shaft extending across the said chamber, cams at the ends of the said rods mounted in rigid relation with the shaft, the shell, valves and yoles on the one hand, and the shaft, abut-ment and cams, on the other hand,being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, the cams operating in the movement of the rotary parts to reciprocate the valves,and a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber7 substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a rotary engine, the combination of a shell provided with an annular expansion chamber, laterally sliding valves at diametrically opposite sides of the said chamber movable respectively into and out of said chamber from opposite directions, reciprocal rods g extending across the shell a-nd fastened to the said valves, rods f parallel with the rods t', yokes laterally and at opposite sides of the expansion chamber connecting all said rods together whereby they move With the valves simultaneously in the same direction, a shaft, an abutment in rigid relation With the shaft and extending across said chamber, inner and outer cams 7L 7L' at opposite ends of the said rods, the shell, valves, rods and yokes, on the one hand, and the shaft, abutment and cams, on the other hand, being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, and the cams being so disposed With relation to each other and to the rods that the inner cams each engage an end of one of the rods g and the outer cams each engage an end of one of the rods f and operate in the movement of the rotating parts of the engine to shift the valves, and a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, all constructed and arranged to opcrate substantially as described.

i). In a rotary engine, the combination of a shell provided ivith an annular expansion chamber, an abutment extending across said chamber and provided in opposite sides adjacent to the chamber Wall with steam supply ports, the shell and abutment therein being so supported With relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, steam channels in opposite sides of the chamber operating in the movement of the rotating parets to register intermittingly with the steam supply port to open the saine to the chamber, valves at the said chamber, means for moving the valves operating to open them at one side of the abutment and close them at the opposite side thereof, and an exhaust for the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. In a rotary engine the combination of a shell provided with an annular expansion chamber, an abutment extending across said chamber and provided lin a side adjacent to the chamber Wall with a steam supply port, the shell and abutment therein being so su ported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates a governorcontrolled eut-off at said port, steam channels in the chamber opera-ting in the movement of the rotating parts to register intermittingly with the steam inlet to open the same to the chamber, sliding valves at the said chamber, means for moving the valves operating to open them at one side of the abutment and close them at the opposite side thereof, and an exhaust for the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ll. In a rotary engine, the combination of a shell provided with an annular expansion chamber, a steam chest having an enlarged portion which fills out and forms an abutment in said chamber, and a reduced portion in contact at one side at least with one Wall of the chamber, and there provided with a steam supply port, and out of contact, at least a-t one other side, With the respective adjacent Wall of the chamber, the shell and steam-chestbeing so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam channel, in the Wall of the chamber, with which the said port registers intermittingly in the movement of the rotating parts to conduct steam from said port into the cha-mber, sliding valves a-t said chamber, means for moving the valves operating to open them at one end of the steam-chest and close them at the opposite end thereof, and an exhaust for the chamber, substantially-as and for the purpose set forth.

l2. In a rotary engine, the combination of a shell provided With an annular expansion chamber, a steam-chest in said chamber having a head-portion provided with expansible packing-stri ps to lill out the said chamber and a reduced portion in contact at one side at Soy ICO

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least with one wall of the chamber, and there provided With a steam supply port, and out of contact, at least at one other side, With the respective adjacent Wall of the chamber, the shell and steam-chest being so supported With relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam channel, in the Wall of the chamber, With Which the said port registers intermittingly in the movement of the rotating parts to conduct steam from said port into the chamber, sliding valves at the said chamber, means for sliding the valves operating to open them at one end of the steam chest and'close them at the opposite end thereof, and an exhaust for the chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a rotary engine, the combination of a shaft, a hub upon the shaft, an annular expausion chamber extending about the hub and having an annulaiinner circumferential opening, a steam-chest in fixed relation to the hub,a steam-supply passage through the shaft and hub to the steam-chest, asteam-exhaust passage from the annular chamber through the hub and shaft, the steam-chest comprising a neck-portion passing' through said annular slot, a head portion filling out the said chamber and forming an abutment therein, and a. reduced portion contacting at one side with the ivall of the chamber and there provided ivith a steam supply port, the shell, on the one hand, and the shaft, hub and steamchest, on the other hand, being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a segmental packin g-strip in said annular slot abutting at opposite ends against the neck-portion of the steam-chest, a steam channel in a side of the chamber to register intermittingly with the steam supply port, and valves in said chamber provided vvith means for operating them, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

li. ln a rotary engine, a shellprovided with two annular expansion chambers, an abutment ext ending across each said chamber, the shell and abutments therein being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam-inlet and a steam-exhaust at each said chamber, valves in opposite sides of the chambers tied together to move simultaneously in the same direction and means for actuating the valves whereby they move in both said chambers simultaneously, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l5. ln a rotary engine, the combination, with the annular expansion chamber, of the steam-chest therein having` a head-portion provided with circumferential grooves u2, openings from said grooves to the chamber of the steam-chest, movable pins filling out said openings and packing-strips resting in said grooves against the ends of the pins, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1G. ln a rotary engine, the combination of the shaft and hub-portion thereon having an annular bearing surface and provided with steam-inlet and exhaust passages, an annular shell containing an annular expansion chamber, au annular inner peripheral slot and an annular inner peripheral bearing-surface fitting the bearing surface of the hub, an abutment in the chamber mounted in fixed relation to the hub and containing a steam-chest communicating with the said steam-inlet passage and having a steam supply port and an exhaust opening at said abutment communieating with the said exhaust passage, a segmental packing-strip on the bearing surface of the hub fitting into the annular slot of the shell and abutting at opposite ends against opposite sides of said abutment, the abutin cnt having a holloiv neck-portion which fits the slot and With the said packing-strip forms a steam-tight packing for the slot, the shell,

on the one hand, and the hub and abutment, on the other hand, being so supported With relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, means actuated by movement of the rotating parts to open and close said chamber, and intermittingly actuating means operating in the rotation of said moving parts to open and close the steamsupply port from the steam-chest to the expansion-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

i7. In a rotary engine, t-he combina-tion of a shell provided with an annular expansionchamber, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam-chest at said abutment having a steamsupply port, an exhaust for the chamber, valves at said chamber,valve-actuating mechanism operating in the movement of the rotating parts to open the valves behind said abutment and close them in front thereof, and means operating in the movement of the rotating parts to open the said steam-supply port to the chamber on the closure of a valve and then close said port, whereby the expansive force of the steam is utilized after the steam is cut off from its source of supply, substantially as described.

18. In a rotary engine, the combination With the shell having an annular inner bearingsurface, annular expansion-chamber, and an annular slot in said bearing-surface, hub provided With a circumferential bearing surface for the said bearing-surface of the shell, head on the hub having a neck portion fitting through said slot, enlarged portion filling out said chamber and containing the steam-chest, of a segmental packing-strip on the bearing surface of the hub extending into said slot and abutting at opposite ends against opposite sides of the said head, the packing-strip comprising inner and outer concentric sections, one of said sections being laterally eX- pansible, substantially as described.

l0. In a rotary engine, the combination With the shell having an annular inner bearing surface, annular expansion chamber, and an annular slot in said bearing surface, hub provided with a circumferential bearing surface for the said bearing surface of the shell, head on the hub having a neck portion fitting through said slot, an enlarged portion filling out said chamber and containing the steam chest, of a segmental packing-strip on the bearing surface of the hub extending into the said slot and abutting at opposite ends against the sides of the said head, the packing-strip comprising inner and outer concentric sections, one of Which consists of two parallel members serrated at adjacent edges to intermesh, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

20. In a rot-ary en gine, the combination with the shell provided with an annular expansion chamber, valves in said chamber and steam- IOO IIO

ohest extending aoross said chamber and so mounted with relation to the shell that one is stationary and the other rotates, of one or more steam-supply ports in the steam-Chest comprising eaeh a segmental opening, a steam channel in the shell for each said supplyport operating in the rotation of the moving parts toregister intermittingly With the respective port and conduct steam therefrom to the chamber, of a governor-actuated sliding eutoff at the port-s for enlarging and reducing the same, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In a rotary engine, the Combination of a shell containing two or more annular expansion chambers provided with valves, and a hub having a steam-supply chamber, tivo or more steam-Chests extending into and forming abutments in the said expansion-chambers and communicating With the said steamsupply chamber, a steam supply port in eaeh steam-chest, an exhaust Chamber in the hub, passages in the hub extending from said ex haust chamber to the said expansion ehambers, the hub and shell being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, and means operating in the rotation of the moving parts to aotuate the valves and open and close the supply ports from the steamsehests to the expansion chambers, all constructed to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

22. ln a rotary engine the Combination of a shell having an annular expansion-chamber, an abutment extending across said Chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported with relation to each other that one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, opening` and Closing valves at the chamber provided with means for operating them in the rotation of the moving parts and a heater in said chamber operating to raise the temperature of the chamber Walls justbefore they Contact With steam from the said steam inlet, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

23. ln a rotary engine, the Combination of a shellrprovided with an expansion-Chamber, an abutment extending across said chamber, the shell and abutment therein being so supported with relation to eaeh other tha-t one is stationary and the other rotates, a steam inlet and a steam exhaust at said chamber, opening and closing valves a-t said chamber with means for operating them in the rotation of the moving parts, and a hollow head in said Chamber in fixed relation with the said abutment and communicating with a steam supply, the head operating to heat the walls of the expansion-chamber before they Contact with the steam from the steam inlet, subst-antially as and for the purpose set forth.

24.. In a rotary engine the combination of a relatively stationary shaft provided with steam inlet and exhaust passages, rotary shell about the said shaft Containing an annular expansion chamber provided With steam inlet and exhaust ports, opening an d elosin g valves in the said Chamber with means for operatin g them, supporting means for the shaft and means for holding the said shaft aga-inst rotation Comprising a block Ir3 fixed to the shaft, a bloek r2 in which the block is mounted to slide in one direction and a support in which the block r2 is mounted to slide in the direction at right angles to the said movement of the block r3, the support operating to hold the block against rotation, substantially as described.

FREDERICK A. SMALL.

In presence of- J. N. HANsoN, J. XV. DYRENFORTH. 

